【正确答案】正确答案：The performative function of language is primarily to change the social status of persons, as in marriage ceremonies, the sentencing of criminals, the blessing of children, the naming of a ship at a launching ceremony, the cursing of enemies and so on. The kind of language employed in performative verbal acts is usually quite formal and even ritualized.(3 points) The performative function can be extended to the control of reality as on some magical or religious occasions, for example, in China when someone breaks a bowl or a plate, the host or the people present are likely to say "sui sui ping an" as a means of controlling the invisible forces which the believers feel might affect their lives adversely.(2 points)

【答案解析】解析：考查语言的施为功能。施为的概念来自以奥斯汀(Austin)和塞尔(Searle)为代表的语言学家对语言的哲学研究，他们的理论现在成为语用学的支柱。施为功能主要是为了改变人的社会地位，如婚礼、判刑、为孩子祈福、下水仪式上对船的命名、诅咒敌人等行为。在这些言语行为中，语言通常是非正式的，甚至是仪式化的。